CML and the Holidays!

For me the holiday season has always meant spending time with friends and family. It is a time to gather and enjoy each other’s company, and to be grateful that we are all still around to do so. Since this year was the first year, in which the holidays have rolled around since I was diagnosed with leukemia, I was especially grateful to be alive and able to enjoy time, with those that I love.

I was sick with some sort of upper respiratory “thing” for most of the holiday season; of course, it began three days before my visit to see my son and his family. I was not sure what to do, as I didn’t want to take any chance of getting my four grand kids sick, so I made the dreaded phone call to my daughter-in-law. She simply said that if I could make it and felt up to it, to just get on the plane, because risking getting the kids sick was a far better option, than telling them that I was not coming.

While I did not feel very well, I knew that it was my only opportunity to see the kids before Christmas, and well into the new year. I figured that it was a one hour plane ride, and I could be sick there, just as easy as I was sick here; but there, I had four beautiful faces to look at, that would certainly improve my mood. We really had a great time, and I came home exhausted, but my heart was so full, that I did not care!

It seemed that no matter what I did, I could not kick the cough and fatigue; my oncologist figured that it was viral, and would just take time. Despite being sick, my white count was only 6,130; it is normally in the 3,900 range, so it was elevated, but obviously not enough to kill the virus. Ugh, the joys of CML!

The “crud’ lasted well into the new year and is responsible for my lack of energy and passion. I missed dancing more often than not, and I have neglected my blog, as well. It was all that I could do to keep up with dinner and the laundry, and the few extra holiday things, thrown in from time to time, (thank goodness for online shopping!). It is my favorite time of year, and I was missing out in a big way. I understand how people can become depressed during the holiday season; fortunately I did not, probably because I was able to channel what energy that I had, into doing something that I really enjoyed.

I did not realize how many of you actually missed my stories and information, and worried when you did not “hear” from me; hopefully I can stay healthy and become more focused on that book that so many have encouraged me to write. I will also attempt to catch you all up and to write about all of those great things that some of you have been wondering!

Here’s to a better New Year!